It is a requirement that students must complete 45 hours of community service before graduation. It is recommended you get 15 hours per year. However, if a student has a busy schedule, such as having a job, doing after-school activities, engaging in sports or taking care of family, it might be difficult for the student to earn all 45 hours before graduation.
Although earning community service hours can be tricky depending on a student’s schedule, there are many ways a student can earn community service hours (Communityserviceorganizations.pdf), including donating to the Lake Stevens Food Drive, participating in certain club activities, donating blood and more.
But should it be required for a student to have 45 hours before graduation?
The biggest reason community service shouldn’t be required is that students have obligations after school. For instance, many students do not have transportation to get to the community service venue. More students are waiting longer to get their license, and other students with driver’s licenses may rely on driving their parents’ cars.
“I’d say yes, but there needs to be exceptions. Some students truly don’t have time to do the whole 45 hours because of school and transportation,“ junior Alex Lacabra said.
Another reason is that many students hold jobs or have significant responsibilities with their families. Senior Jose De Jes Hernandez is the shift lead at Burger King, working 32 to 40 hours a week. Jose works five days a week, often covering shifts for other workers.
It should not be required for students to earn a certain amount of community service hours in order to graduate because it deters students from offering to help for the sake of helping. Students should want to serve their community out of kindness rather than obligation.
Only Maryland and the District of Columbia require students in their state to complete community service to graduate from high school. At this time, Washington state does not have a requirement for students to complete community service hours. Some high schools may require students to earn community service hours because participating in activities to gain community service is thought to help students do better in school, and gain a sense of responsibility.
Having 50-200 community service hours is excellent to include on a college application, but volunteering shouldn’t be required for graduation.
Working to get community service hours allows students to explore academic interests, learn new things and take new chances as well as helping students develop a richer perspective of the world.
